INNISFAIL - Canoe polo is a sport that can be played all year round.
The Alberta Canoe Polo Association (ACPA) recently held its annual general meeting and a recreational tournament at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on Nov. 4.
“Several different tournaments are hosted around the province in various places (throughout the year), including Calgary, Edmonton and Innisfail,” said Trevor Zaharichuk, president of the ACPA.
He noted that Edmonton also hosts an international tournament every year in February.
“All of these events and club operations help support players who aspire to play on the Canadian National team.”
The Alberta Canoe Polo Association is a provincial organization that provides support to kayak clubs around the province who are developing the sport of canoe polo, he added.
Innisfail-based Cottonwood Kayak Club co-hosted the one-day event.
“(This tournament) provided a chance for paddlers to get together and compete against each other in a fun environment,” said Julie Ramrattan, Cottonwood Kayak Club secretary. “There were about six to eight kayakers from our club (in the tournament).
“In the winter we have canoe polo once a week (at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre),” she added. “Our biggest focus is to have fun but also to promote paddling and keep paddling through the winter.
“We want to keep up those skills and the connections between paddlers.”
Drop-in canoe polo during the winter runs from October to April.
The tournament on Nov. 4 had about 20 players from Calgary, Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton and Innisfail, said Ramrattan, adding the club hosts its own annual tournament every January.
It was also a successful year for the Innisfail kayak club.
“Our (season) was very successful and it was a busy year. Canada hosted worlds in Welland, Ontario,” said Ramrattan. “We had some paddlers from our club on the U-21 women’s team that competed. We also had a team at the Alberta Summer Games this year.”
Anyone interested in learning more about canoe polo or kayaking, can drop in during a session on Friday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre, visit the Cottonwood Kayak Club on Facebook or contact Ramrattan at 403-227-1135.
